RE: E-flite F-86 Sabre 15 DF ARF
The painted fiberglass HET F-86 silver tip tanks from [link=http://www.ejf.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_96_143_210&products_id=818]Electric Jet Factory[/link] seemed like an almost perfect match for the slightly smaller E-flite F-86 Sabre. I found a compromise position for the tanks that was close to scale but utilized a wing former underneath.
I first positioned the tanks using Scotch double-sided clear tape and then traced the outline. The covering was removed and the balsa sheeting coated with thin CA. The result was a durable surface strengthened by a former underneath. The plan is to attach the tanks to the wings using thin double-side 3M white tape that is similar to servo tape and take the F-86 off grass. In this manner, if something goes wrong on take-off or landing, the tanks will come off before breaking the wing or themselves.
The removed landing gear pieces weighed 1.8oz and the HET tanks about 2.5oz each. The net weight gain was about 3.2oz.
We'll test it out this weekend...